– says Astwood
CHAIRMAN of the Shipping Association of Guyana Mr. Andrew Astwood said the body is focused on being leaders for advocacy in the shipping industry.

“This is generally achieved through constant collaboration and dialogue with our main stakeholders – the Maritime Administration Department, Guyana Revenue Authority, the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, the Private Sector Commission and several other government and private sector organisations, locally and regionally,” he said.
Astwood recalled that high on the SAG’s agenda as it commenced its activities for this year (2010) was the deepening of the Demerara harbour.

Speaking Monday night during a dinner organised by the SAG at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown, Astwood admitted that “much was achieved in 2010.”

“Several new initiatives including the computerisation of information related to the clearance of goods, a new customs warehouse and the acquisition of a container scanner soon to be commissioned were all launched. In this regard, I must recognise the work of the National Competitive Strategy Unit and commend the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) for responding positively to its recommendations,” Astwood told the gathering.

Guyana’s ports ISPS compliant

Safety and security, he said, remained a part of the SAG’s focus and the body continues to work with the MARAD to ensure that terminals conform to the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) which has been in place in Guyana since 2004.

Astwood said that two audit visits from the US Coast Guard yielded positive reports about this country’s preparedness.

And in an effort to stimulate improvements in operating standards within the industry, he said there were also deliberations in the area of training where there were consultations with the University of Guyana, the Critchlow Labour College and regionally, the Caribbean Maritime Institute.

Astwood said the SAG continues to examine freight charges which are a concern to shippers. “Reportedly this item represents 12.4 percent of export costs for cargo to the U.S. compared to an average of four percent in other Caribbean ports.”

“While this is something that we are not directly responsible for, it was recognised that deeper sailing draft of vessels leaving port could contribute to some reduction in freight charges over time,” he said.

With a view to reducing costs to shippers, he said night opening of the Demerara Harbour Bridge was also discussed at the level of the SAG and relevant stakeholders.

He said, too, that the SAG has been at the forefront of efforts to have the draft of the Demerara River addressed as a matter of urgency, because of the negative effects it continues to have on trade.

“We remain very anxious about port development plans for Guyana. We have been involved and we give support to the establishment of a deep water harbour, for which the Berbice River has been identified. But we cannot allow over 85 percent of our country’s trade to be frozen and kept in waiting while this development emerges. Solutions for Demerara must become a priority,” he urged.

Astwood said the SAG’s proposed public/private sector partnership arrangement to address port Georgetown is still being considered among the related stakeholders.